On Saturday, February 2, 2013 David Price and Project14 will team up with the Ted Williams Hall of Fame for the 20th Induction Ceremony and Dinner at Tropicana Field. Tickets for the event are $125 each and proceeds go to help the kids of Tampa Bay. The ticket itself is a commemorative ticket autographed by Jake McGee. (Order your tickets here)
Project One Four (Project14) is a charitable foundation which supports programs and organizations that provide opportunities for youth to learn life skills in a safe and supportive environment the Ted Williams Museum's goal is to preserve and build on the rich tradition and heritage of our national pastime -- baseball. The Museum's mission is one of outreach and education. Ted Williams described the purpose of the museum:
"Through the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, we hope to build a lasting monument, an architectural tribute to what I think is the single most difficult thing in all of sports: hitting a baseball. We hope the Museum will become a place millions of baseball fans will visit and enjoy for generations to come. I hope you'll join us as we transform our dreams into reality."
This years honorees include Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, former Rays manager Lou Piniella, and the Alomar Family (Sandy Sr., Sandy Jr., and and Roberto), and Darrell Evans.
The evening begins with a reception and free autograph session and this years group includes Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. Other signees include Tony Oliva, Cecil Fielder, David Price, Matt Joyce, Alex Cobb, Jake McGee, Cliff Floyd, Bill Singer, Jeff Locke, Richie Scheinblum, Mike LaValliere, Doug Waechter, Mike DiFelice, Roy White and Scott McGregor.
After the reception and autograph session ends the dinner begins. While dinner is enjoyed by the guests each inductee is honored and makes a speech. At the conclusion of the evening David Price will address the crowd in what is considered the beginning of the baseball season.
I had an opportunity to attend the event last winter and plan on attending again this year but one thing that I wasn't expecting was mood lighting at Tropicana Field! I also had an opportunity to meet several DRB followers and am hoping to meet more of you this year.
The whole evening really brought the feel of baseball back - from parking at Tropicana Field and making that walk up to the rotunda, entering the stadium, heading out to the field, and hearing the voice of Dwayne Staats who emceed the event all made the night feel like it was mid-season once again. Take a look at some of the video's below to get a feel for the evening.
For those who have not been to the Ted Williams Museum at Tropicana Field:
Last years inductees included Mike Flanagan, Cecil Fielder, and Tino Martinez. Cecil Fielder's speech (video here) and Tino Martinez's speech (video here). Mike Flanagan's father gave an induction speech that was very moving and there wasn't a dry eye left in the park.